Sam Ukwuachu case explainer

August 21, 2015 12:19 PM

Ukwuachu (right) was an all-state defensive end at Pearland, helping the Oilers run the table in 2010 and capping off a 16-0 season with the Class 5A Division I state championship.

In the championship against Euless Trinity, Ukwuachu became a hero as the senior - a valuable wideout thanks to his 6-5 frame - was on the receiving end of a perfectly executed “Dead Man” play. The trick play consisted of every member of the Pearland offense except the center standing straight until the ball was snapped and Ukwuachu took off downfield. With a confused defense not moving – except a Trinity defensive back chasing Ukwuachu - Oilers quarterback Trey Anderson found him for a 54-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter.

Multiple videos of the plays made their way to the internet, showing not only the trickery, but the confusion with the television crew and many fans at Cowboys Stadium.

Ukwuachu was one of six Oilers who earned all-state honors in 2010.

In a text message, longtime Pearland head coach Tony Heath said Ukwuachu “was not a discipline problem on or off the field.” less

Ukwuachu (right) was an all-state defensive end at Pearland, helping the Oilers run the table in 2010 and capping off a 16-0 season with the Class 5A Division I state championship.

Ukwuachu (right) was an all-state defensive end at Pearland,...photo-8498686.115632 - |ucfirst

Ukwuachu (second from right) picked Boise State after reportedly also being recruited by Arkansas, Baylor, Colorado, Louisville and Northwestern. He cited Boise's rising stature and said it "was really the first big school that's really known to come at me and trusted me." less

Ukwuachu (second from right) picked Boise State after reportedly also being recruited by Arkansas, Baylor, Colorado, Louisville and Northwestern. He cited Boise's rising stature and said it "was really the ... more

Ukwuachu redshirted at Boise State in 2011 and was voted a Freshman All-American in 2012 after notching 35 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

Ukwuachu redshirted at Boise State in 2011 and was voted a Freshman All-American in 2012 after notching 35 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

Photo: Joe Jaszewski, Associated Press

Ukwuachu redshirted at Boise State in 2011 and was voted a Freshman...photo-8500683.115632 - |ucfirst

Ukwuachu (second from right) was dismissed from Boise State's football team on May 7, 2013, for "an unspecified violation of team rules."

Per a Texas Monthly report, Boise State assistant athletic director Marc Paul advised Ukwuachu's then-girlfriend in Boise to stay away from the house the two shared after he punched out a window while drunk. Paul also arranged to get police protection for the couple's other roommate, who received threatening text messages form Ukwuachu.

He then transferred to Baylor in 2013 and was ineligible to play that season because of NCAA transfer rules.

Shortly after he transferred to Baylor in 2013, Ukwuachu was accused of sexually assaulting a then-Baylor soccer player. The woman testified that Ukuachu assaulted her at her apartment as she yelled "no" and screamed during the assult. Ukwuachu claimed the sex was consensual and that he had a previous relationship with the woman.

Ukwuachu's accuser also testified that he said "this isn't rape" as he assaulted her and later asked her if she was going to report the incident to police.

During the trial, a former girlfriend of Ukwuachu's at Boise State testifed that he punched her in the head numerous times, choked her and had a violent temper.

Shortly after he transferred to Baylor in 2013, Ukwuachu was accused of sexually assaulting a then-Baylor soccer player. The woman testified that Ukuachu assaulted her at her apartment as she yelled "no" and ... more

Photo: Idaho Statesman, MCT Via Getty Images

Shortly after he transferred to Baylor in 2013, Ukwuachu was...photo-8497334.115632 - |ucfirst

A scathing report by Texas Monthly published Thursday questioned how throughly Baylor handled the investigation into the assualt investigation against Ukwuachu. Per the report, a Waco prosecutor told the presiding judge that school officials just interviewed Ukwuachu, his accuser and a friend of each person while never examining the rape kit. less

A scathing report by Texas Monthly published Thursday questioned how throughly Baylor handled the investigation into the assualt investigation against Ukwuachu. Per the report, a Waco prosecutor told the ... more

During a speech in Fort Worth this June, Bennett said he expected Ukwuachu to play, despite the fact he was set to stand trial for sexual assault in Waco. "We expect him to be eligible in July," Bennett said. less

Ukwuachu was found guilty of second-degree sexual assault by a Waco jury Thursday.

After his sentencing, Baylor issued the following statement:

"Acts of sexual violence contradict every value Baylor University upholds as a caring Christian community. In recent years we have joined university efforts nationally to prevent campus violence against women and sexual assault, to actively support survivors of sexual assault with compassion and care, and to take action against perpetrators. We have established and fully staffed a Title IX office that employs a Title IX Coordinator and two full-time investigators. Maintaining a safe and caring community is central to Baylor’s mission and at the heart of our commitment to our students, faculty and staff." less

Ukwuachu was found guilty of second-degree sexual assault by a Waco jury Thursday.

After his sentencing, Baylor issued the following statement:

"Acts of sexual violence contradict every value Baylor University ... more

Ukwuachu was found guilty of second-degree sexual assault by a Waco...photo-8497333.115632 - |ucfirst

After Ukwuachu's conviction, Baylor head coach Art Briles told reporters it was "a very unfortunate situation for all concerned. We made our decision on the knowledge that we had two years ago. That’s what we did. It’s unfortunate."

As far as his handling of Ukwuachu's transfer, Briles claimed that former Boise State coach Chris Peterson told him nothing about Ukwuachu's previous behavior other than he was depressed and "beyond Sam being depressed and needing to come home."

Peterson, however, said Friday that he "thoroughly apprised" Briles of the circumstances surrounding Ukwuachu's dismissal.

After Ukwuachu's conviction, Baylor head coach Art Briles told reporters it was "a very unfortunate situation for all concerned. We made our decision on the knowledge that we had two years ago. That’s what we ... more

Ukwuachu (right) was an all-state defensive end at Pearland, helping the Oilers run the table in 2010 and capping off a 16-0 season with the Class 5A Division I state championship.

In the championship against Euless Trinity, Ukwuachu became a hero as the senior - a valuable wideout thanks to his 6-5 frame - was on the receiving end of a perfectly executed “Dead Man” play. The trick play consisted of every member of the Pearland offense except the center standing straight until the ball was snapped and Ukwuachu took off downfield. With a confused defense not moving – except a Trinity defensive back chasing Ukwuachu - Oilers quarterback Trey Anderson found him for a 54-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter.

Multiple videos of the plays made their way to the internet, showing not only the trickery, but the confusion with the television crew and many fans at Cowboys Stadium.

Ukwuachu was one of six Oilers who earned all-state honors in 2010.

In a text message, longtime Pearland head coach Tony Heath said Ukwuachu “was not a discipline problem on or off the field.” less

Ukwuachu (right) was an all-state defensive end at Pearland, helping the Oilers run the table in 2010 and capping off a 16-0 season with the Class 5A Division I state championship.